============================================= || || 27th July 2014 || || LNU Website: || http://www.lnu.org/ || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. News from the Lincolnshire Coast 5. News from Far Ings NNR 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin is being read by 1100 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. A Sign-up Form to join the mailing list can now be found on: http://eepurl.com/zmFMT Past LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** From the Editor.... *** We went on one of the RSPB Wash Cruises this week, something we should have done a long time ago! The weather and sea conditions were perfect, as were the hospitality of the RSPB team and the Skipper and Crew of the Boston Belle. Strongly recommended. I have included below my own rough list of species I noted, but no doubt a full report will be made by the leaders. The bacon baps were a very good experience. I was pleased to see that the LNU had included a field meeting at Norton Big Wood, Norton Disney. This is an interesting place, as is the Hill Holt Wood project, which does sterling work and is worth getting to know. Again - strongly recommended. This has been the week of the Herbarium training days - a very exciting time for all who have been instrumental in bringing about this initiative. This is the start of what we hope will be a very worthwhile project, so please keep up with developments and join in where you can. For background see: http://rogerparsons.info//LNUHerbarium.html Don't forget - we are still interested in reports of gorse in flower. Roger *** Herbarium Project - Training Days *** Jean Burton, who attended the first Training day with two fellow members of the Sir Joseph Banks Society, writes: 'The Sir Joseph Banks Society is very excited about the Herbarium project. It will bring new skills to gardening enthusiasts and provide information about changes to our natural environment over the centuries. An important research tool, it is also a thoroughly enjoyable project to work on.' Editor adds: Looking back on the development of this project, the search for a safe home for the LNU Herbaria led us to do some serious thinking about ways to encourage Botanical research in Lincolnshire. We soon learned that our collection would fill a gap in the national 'plant database' and that we could widen the project to establish a contemporary herbarium to add to the understanding of plants and climate change. This is a field where keen amateurs can make a real contribution to future research. The shared interest of the partners, the LNU, Sir Joseph Banks Society, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and Natural History Museum, make this a unique and very promising collaboration. Our first wave of trainees will have improved their identification skills but more importantly, they will now have an understanding of the responsible collection and preparation of herbarium specimens. Important to note is that work on a modern herbarium is not a "licence to pick anything and everything". Nor is it targeted at our rare and endangered species. We shall be aiming to gather a few high quality specimens from a carefully considered list of fairly familiar plants. It is the skillful preparation of these specimens that will be the emphasis. It would be good to have some comments from participants. *** LNU Events - guests are welcome *** Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the details for each event and this may vary. The 2014 LNU Field Meeting programme is listed below in section 11. To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php August 02, 2014 Norton Big Wood, Norton Disney (Courtesy of Hill Holt Wood Ltd) Southwest of Lincoln 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening session starting at 20.30. Park in woodland car park at approx. SK880605 which down track off Wood Lane (which is off minor road between Witham St.Hughs and Norton Disney. Toilets available on site. Habitats: Broadleaved woodland, mixed woodland, glades, ponds and ditches Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Guests are welcome at our meetings. *** Butterfly Conservation Events *** Lesley Robinson writes: BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION LINCOLNSHIRE BRANCH Moth Night 26th July at Chambers Farm Wood Education Centre (Grid reference: TF147740) 9:30pm until late See & identify the amazing variety & number of Moths in the Limewoods (Please wear warm clothing & stout footwear. Bring a torch) Open Day 27th July at Chambers Farm Wood Education Centre (Grid reference: TF147740) 11am to 3pm Butterfly walk 11.00am from the Education Centre Your opportunity to see White Admiral & other butterflies at close quarters Both events are by kind permission of the Forestry Commission. *** Barn Owl Question *** Between NETTLEHAM and SCOTHERN Stephen and Julia Hart Advice would be welcome: We have barn owl box with all the signs of a breeding pair for the 2nd yr. Lots of hissing and other noise during May, June and up to 9 July. Regular sightings of adults. Then sudden silence, though adults have been seen. Could the hissings have been the noise of the young? And could their sudden cessation simply be caused by a very early brood suddenly making final departure? *** Barton Area Group LWT *** Adrian White writes: Friday 8th August Moth and Bat Night Meet at NESS FARM (old Centre) Start 8:30pm 'til late A FREE event so why not bring the whole family to see our amazing nocturnal wildlife. A Bat walk with detectors and after see what our Moth lights have attracted. Warm clothing and stout footwear recommended. Contact Adrian White for further details Tel; 01724 732152 or 07940561907 or email adrian@awhite27.freeserve.co.uk Saturday 16th August Messingham Reserve A half-day visit to this excellent wildlife place. We will be shown round by the warden, Matt Blissett. Waterproofs and stout footwear recommended. Contact Adrian White for further details Tel; 01724 732152 or 07940561907 or email adrian@awhite27.freeserve.co.uk *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Saturday 16th August 2014 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them in a pond dipping for adults session in Cleethorpes Country Park with Mick Binnion. Meet in the car park at 3pm before we head to the pond dipping platforms. If you wish to bring a folding chair you may find your afternoon more comfort able. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. To book a place ring Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** Wash Cruises 2014 *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB have started their 2014 series of Birdwatching Cruises into The Wash estuary and River Welland. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire During 2013 over 105 species were seen, averaging 64 per cruise, and each cruise is manned by experienced Spotters. Apart from birds, basking seals are also regularly seen. Each cruise departs from Boston's Grand Sluice lock and lasts between four and five hours. Everybody is welcome. RSPB members £17-50 (under 16 £9-50). Non members £20 (£10-50) Booking is via The South Holland (Spalding) ticket agency and is essential. Call 01775-764777 or go online www.southhollandcentre.co.uk where full details including sailing times of those cruises which haven't sold out can be found. 14 cruises have been arranged for 2014 which started on 25th April, with various sailing times every month, and concluding on 16th October. These cruises are once again proving very popular. *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: Forthcoming dates for the 2013/2014 programme of Events. Members and non-members welcome. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Birds Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ 18/7 Lesser Yellowlegs, Glossy Ibis, 2 Little Stints, Spotted Redshank, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh 3 Turtle Doves, field off Occupation Lane, walesby Short-eared Owl, 2 Sooty Shearwaters past, Gibraltar Point Osprey, Horseshoe Point 19/7 Lesser Yellowlegs, Glossy Ibis, 3 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 6 Spoonbills, Little Gull, Alkborough Flats 20/7 Possible Purple Heron, Mablethorpe Ruddy Shelduck, Alkborough Flats Lesser Yellowlegs, Glossy Ibis, Probably Terek Sandpiper, 3 Spoonbills, 2 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh 21/7 Lesser Yellowlegs, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Wood sandpipers, Glossy Ibis, 3 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Turtle Dove singing NE of Muckton 22/7 Glossy Ibis, 3 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Turtle Dove singing, Sloothby 23/7 Quail singing, Wood Sandpiper, Donna Nook Montagu's Harrier, Tree Pipit, Short-eared Owl, Wood Sandpiper, Gibraltar Point 24/7 Lesser Yellowlegs, 2 Turtle Doves, Little Stint, probable Temminck's Stint, Glossy Ibis, 3 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 25/7 Glossy Ibis, Frampton Marsh Note: I am adapting my RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. Strongly recommended. [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. GORSE We are still looking for evidence of unusual dates for Gorse flowering. Have you seen any Gorse in flower this month? Paul Kirby writes: Please continue to send in Gorse reports. Reports may be sent in via the Bulletin. Editor adds: It will help if you will keep these separate from any general reports you may be sending in, please, so they can be listed here. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and We welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) The Caistor Wildlife List has just reached 1200 species! Reports from contributors to Caistor records Two weeks beginning 11.7.14 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Hedgehog juv roadkill 11.7.14 Muntjac 10am 22.7.14 Rabbit juv dead, no wounds 21.7.14 Blackbird nesting in Solanum 15.7.14 Bullfinches, pair in Honeysuckle 12.7.14 Buzzard flying low 9am 21.7.14 Grey herons 2 flying over at 9pm 13.7.14 Pheasant m 16.7.14 Wren nesting in Clematis 13.7.14 Wrens 2 territorial behaviour in rockery 19.7.14 Yellowhammer 15.7.14 6-spot burnet 8 on Betony 13.7.14. First sighting in garden Black ants 10s feeding on Black aphids 1000s on Broad-leaved bellflower stems 16.7.14 Black darter 14.7.14. First dragonfly of 2014 Cinnabar moth 11.7.14 Common hawkers 3 23.7.14 Cream spot ladybird 19.7.14 Butterflies in flowerbed 1pm 16.7.14, temp 23C Brimstone 1, Gatekeeper 1, Meadow brown 4, Peacock 2, Red admiral 1, Ringlet 2, Small skipper 1, Small tortoiseshell 10 Speedwell galls First flowers Balm 24.7.14. New Common teasel 15.7.14 Field pansy 18.7.14 Greater willowherb 13.7.14 Hemp agrimony 15.7.14 Lucerne 18.7.14 Purple loosestrife 18.7.14 Sainfoin 18.7.14 Water mint 23.7.14 Fungi Shaggy parasols 5, up to 20cms across 12.7.14 Caistor Sportsground TA 113 016 A Wish Noctule bats 10pm awaiting confirmation 6.6.14 Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Leaf-cutter bee in bee-house 21.7.14 A Longhorn beetle, probably Arhopalus rusticus, possibly A ferus 15.7.14 South Street garden TA 119 012 D Cole Mothtraps 5 July. Additional species Black-headed conch Pseudargylotoza conwagana Broad-bordered yellow underwing Brown line bright eye Buff ermine Clay Common footman Currant pug Dark arches Dot moth Dun-bar Flame Green pug Grey dagger Heart and dart Hebrew character Large yellow underwing Light arches Marbled minor Middle barred minor Mother of pearl Mottled rustic Peppered moth Privet tortrix Clepsis consimilana. New Riband wave Rufous minor Rustic Sandy carpet Small angle shades. New Small magpie Snout Spectacle Swallowtailed moth Tawny marbled minor Turnip moth 11 July Brimstone moth Burnished brass Elephant hawk moth Fan foot Grey arches. New Lesser yellow underwing Little emerald. New Marbled beauty Nutmeg Silver Y Small dusty wave a Snout moth Phycitodes maritime. New Swallow-tailed moth 18thJuly 2014 Bird-cherry ermine Yponomeuta evonymella. New Common rustic Dingy shell Euchoeca nebulata. New Dusky brocade Garden tiger moth Arctia caja. New Hook-marked straw moth, Agapeta hamana. New Lesser broad bordered yellow underwing Marbled coronet Miller a Tortrix moth. Lozotaeniodes formosanus. New Twin spot carpet Yellow-tail Euproctis similis. New CHAMBERS FARM WOOD AND LITTLE SCRUBBS MEADOW. 23rd July, 2014. Geof Lee BUTTERFLIES White admiral Red admiral Small tortoiseshell Pearl bordered fritillary Gatekeeper Meadow brown Ringlet Small skipper Brown argus Comma Peacock Small white Speckled wood Small white DRAGONFLIES Southern hawker Brown hawker Migrant hawker Common darter Ruddy darter DAMSELFLIES Common blue Blue tailed HEALING TA 214106 Garden R Julier 8th July 2014 Lesser Stag beetles - Amorous down the drive, at the bottom of the garden and even end to end on the patio. 19th July 2014 Bank vole House mice - A chain gang along with about 2kg of wheat in my toolbox. Spending a couple of hours cleaning sticky stuff off tools is not my idea of fun! Black ants - Started flying at 11am. TA 214108 Moated Manor site 21st July 2014 Comma Gatekeeper Large Skipper Large White Meadow Brown Red Admiral Ringlet Small Skipper Small Tortoiseshell Small White Common Green Grasshopper Lesser Marsh Grasshopper - Various colour polymorphs, unfortunately the pretty pink ones are the least common. HORNCASTLE TF261691 My garden Robert Walker 23.7.14 Grass Snake 1 Further to my last weeks report of my wife's sighting of an adult, I was lucky enough to spot a small juvenile, about 10-12" in length slithering over slate pieces on our small 'stream' on our front pond. It was late afternoon in warm sunshine so it had either been basking or more likely helping itself to late tadpoles or even the newly emerged froglets we are now seeing. At least it confirms that we do have local breeding grass snakes. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) Date 18/7/2014 Fox 1 (caught early morning on wildlife camera - quite a surprise!) Robins 4 (2 parents and 2 fledglings being fed) Date 21/7/2014 Holly blue butterfly 1 Date 23/7/2014 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Holly blue butterfly 1 Date 24/7/2014 Frog 1 Large white butterflies 2 Squirrel 1 LOUTH OS 3486 C Byatt 24 July 2014 Grey wagtail 1 (on side of Stewton Beck) RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 18.07.14 Brown Hare x 3 seen on walk near Binbrook, approx. TF 189 922 19.07.14 Black Ants very active and a few winged ones seen on the ground Ca. 20 Swifts overhead, flying north, about 8 pm 20.07.14 Lesser Stag Beetle (x1) found in my garden about 50 metres from the spot where I found last week's record (same or different individual ???) Common Toad (small, about 1 year old) More Common Newt tadpoles; smaller than the last lot I reported 2 pairs of Common Blue or Azure Damselflies (couldn't tell the difference) Third House Martin nest now fledged. 21.07.14 2.30 am: Tawny Owl on electricity wires near the House Martin nests. Shooed it away, but: 9 am: One House Martins nest on the ground, no sign of any occupants (all fledged, I think, so most will have got away). Peacock butterfly (first of the second generation) Toad, medium-sized 23.07.14 Great Diving Beetle in pond (very large; about 3.5 cm long) Common Frog 1 or 2 small rabbits seen in garden every day. TATTERSHALL THORPE to WOODHALL SPA 20/7/2014 D. Bromwich, R. Parsons, N. Fox, Coningsby Wildlife Watch group Pellets of unknown origin – owl/raptor and fox scat? Bones – mainly rabbit, some bird – including a rabbit skull Spider spp – distinctive yellow bands along abdomen avoiding a name at the moment. Also a young orb spider (Araneus sp.) Beetles 7-spot ladybird Soldier Beetle Pollen beetle Whirlygig beetles in water Several small fast-moving ground beetles (Bembidion type?) Bees White-tailed bumblebee Red-tailed bumblebee Honeybee Damselflies and Dragonflies Common blue damselfly Blue-tailed damselfly 4-spotted Chaser Black-tailed skimmer (egg laying) (Hawker spp) Snails Brown-lipped hedge snail Moths Cinnabar moth caterpillars 6 spot burnet moth Grass moth (Crambid spp) Butterflies Large white Small white Meadow brown – many Ringlet Small tortoiseshell + caterpillars Large skipper Small Skipper Peacock – adult and larva Common blue + strikingly marked ‘blue’ female with large orange lunules, very unusual for our area as females are normally much more brown. Gatekeeper Brown Argus Comma Small Tortoiseshell Peacock Red Admiral Painted Lady Small Copper Grasshoppers Meadow Grasshopper Lesser Marsh Grasshopper Slender Groundhopper Plants noted: Ragwort – with cinnabar moth caterpillars St John's Wort Bramble Scarlet pimpernel Field speedwell White campion Common centaury Birds-foot trefoil Convolvulus Water mint Crassula helmsii Thistles various Hogweed – seed dispersal Dave Bromwich adds: St John's Wort named because it flowers on the 24th June, John the Baptist’s birthday (St. John's Day (June 24); others say it was St. John's favorite herb, and still others note that the deep red pigment in the plant resembles the blood of the martyred saint. I still like my idea best of it being a cure-all. In 1597, Gerard noted: Saint John’s Wort with his flowers and seed boiled and drunken, provoketh urine, and is right good against the stone in the bladder, and stoppeth the laske. The leaves stamped are good to be laid upon burnings, scaldings, and all wounds; and also for rotten and filthy ulcers. Gets my vote if it “stoppeth the laske”! THEDDLETHORPE John Cowell A turtle dove was seen & heard yesterday (Sunday 20th) near the track down to the beach from Brickyard Lane Car Park (LN12 1NR) THE WASH - RSPB Cruise R Parsons 21/7/2014 Black Sluice to River Welland Common Seal 100+ on banks of Welland Cormorant 20+ Little Egret 40+ Grey Heron 40+ Greylag Goose 10+ Canada Goose 50+ Shelduck 20+ Mallard 50+ Marsh Harrier reported - 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Kestrel 3 Peregrine 2 Oystercatcher 500+ Avocet 2 Lapwing 20+ Godwit spp 2 Whimbrel 10+ Curlew 10+ Redshank 12 Greenshank 2 Common Sandpiper 15+ Turnstone 60+ Little Gull 2 Black-headed Gull 60+ Lesser Black-backed Gull 20+ Herring Gull 20+ Great Black-backed Gull 8 Sandwich Tern 10 Arctic Tern 6 Swallow 30 Yellow wagtail 1 Starling 100+ WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS (TF4759) 22/07/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Very little about today and the absence of bird song made a count very difficult with only twelve species being recorded, the most interesting of which was Stock Dove (2). Solitary Reed and Sedge Warblers were heard along with a single Reed Bunting. Four Mallard were the only ducks present. Butterflies recorded were:- Large White x 5 Small White x 4 Red Admiral x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 4 Ringlet x 1 Small Skipper x 1 A very good view was obtained of an Emperor dragonfly. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 19/7/2014 Turtle Dove heard - RP. Butterflies: Holly blue 1, Peacock 2, Red admiral 4, Small tortoiseshell 5, Ringlet, Meadow Brown 4. WRANGLE COMMON (TF4352) 22/07/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson We recorded twenty-six species of birds today. Amazingly - and probably for the first time ever - no Blackbirds were seen. Of particular interest were Gadwall (7), Buzzard (1), Sparrowhawk (1) and Green Sandpiper (1). Swallow numbers (22) are building up. Amongst the dragonflies present were Ruddy Darter (9), Common Darter (2), Emperor (2), Southern Hawker (2) and Common Blue Damselfly (2). A large butterfly count was made:- Small Skipper x 11 Large White x 11 Small White x 22 Common Blue x 12 Red Admiral x 1 Peacock x 10 Comma x 4 Speckled Wood x 11 Gatekeeper x 51 Meadow Brown x 25 Ringlet x 10 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves South Lincolnshire bird sightings June 2014 RSPB Frampton Marsh A Glossy Ibis arrived mid-month (16th) to be joined by a second bird towards the end of the month. They were seen courting and built a nest but did not lay any eggs. This represents the first breeding record in the UK in modern times. A single Spoonbill was seen intermittently during the month. Up to four Garganey were also present throughout. A single Osprey was seen (8th). Wader passage from the end of the month included single Little Stint (28th - 29th), up to six Spotted Redshanks (25th) and Wood Sandpiper (29th-30th). Little Gulls were present all month with a peak of 11 (18th), while up to four Turtle Doves proved popular with visitors. A Red-backed Shrike was reported but wasn’t as co-operative (8th). Gibraltar Point NNR On the sea two Storm Petrels (20th) and three Manx Shearwaters (25rd) provided unseasonal interest. A Glossy Ibis was a brief visitor (13th), but up to two Spoonbills were regularly reported. A good passage of up to six Honey Buzzards passed through at the beginning of the month. Montagu’s Harrier and Osprey were also seen on two dates each. Passage waders were generally thin on the ground, but included single Little Stint (8th) and Curlew Sandpiper (13th). A possible 1st summer Ross’s Gull was seen briefly (18th), but unfortunately not subsequently. A female Red-backed Shrike spent was also a relatively brief visitor (1st). Other sites The Glossy Ibis at Willow Tree Fen was reported on one date (21st) but could conceivably have been present throughout. Two Spoonbills were also seen there (7th-9th), as was a Greenshank (20th-21st). John Badley Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006059.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Press release from LWT 21/2/2014: Paths and hides are open at Gibraltar Point (except to Fenland Lagoon and a section of the West Dunes). Refreshments and temporary toilets are now available in the main car park. Please show your support for our volunteers and staff by visiting. Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006128.aspx Week ending 25th July 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth Day time temperatures have been held back all week influenced by fresh onshore winds. A gust of 33.9mph was recorded on Quarry Hill on the 18th. In addition to the butterflies seen in the previous week there have been several common blues, a few small coppers and a wall brown observed on the wing on the 22nd. A painted lady was seeking nectar on sea lavender on the 24th. Good numbers of ruddy darters and blue tailed damselflies remain around Rimac and an emperor dragonfly, emerald and common blue damselflies were seen over the main pond on the 22nd. Bird sightings for the week have included a female Stonechat at Rimac on the 22nd, and on the 24th over the saltmarsh it was thought a raptor disturbed 2000+ Starlings, 15 Little Egrets and 120+ Curlew which were in the air together. Whimbrel have been seen and heard all week, generally in ones and twos but 6 flew over the dunes on the 24th. The impact of the tidal surge and influence of sea water on the low numbers of marsh orchids in the freshwater marsh was mentioned on 30th May. There has been a similar impact upon the marsh helliborines when a count this week yielded c4000 plants compared with c7000 plants in 2013. Plants now flowering on the dunes (and not previously mentioned) include carline thistle, harebell, common eyebright, red bartsia and field scabious, while the white flowers of tubular water-dropwort can be seen amongst the rushes in the freshwater marsh. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB RESERVES http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1083404.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Press release from LWT 18/7/2014: The Humber Bank has been repaired and is now open. Repairs to the visitor centre are underway and it is hoped that it will re-open mid-August 2014. Facilities including toilets and a small shop are available at Ness End Farm (the old visitor centre and now the regional management base). Events, children's activities and school visits will continue from Ness End Farm until the visitor centre is re-opened. Please show your support for our volunteers and staff by visiting. See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. Bardney Limewoods NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006846.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specific area when reporting e.g. Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc.); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood, Wickenby Wood. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) For the Limewoods, see: http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/about/conservation/bardney-limewoods-nnr/ and Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ Colin Green has produced the following video about visiting Southrey Wood. Well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Sundays. Please e-mail in your contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save reediting: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk *** Contacts List *** WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara STAYING SAFE *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals SPECIES IDENTIFICATION *** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful - especially if you are encouraging young people to have a go - e.g. Wildlife Watch group members. "They suggest the species in your area that best match what you have found." http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website: http://www.ispot.org.uk/node/275032 A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and societies represented is here: http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives This is a project run by The Open University as part of Open Air Laboratories (OPAL), where you can "Learn more about wildlife, share your interest with a friendly community and get help identifying what you have seen." The project is essentially in the business of helping people learn how to identify the wildlife they encounter, and encouraging them to get involved in biological recording. *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php http://butterfly-conservation.org/ What's That Caterpillar? http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species_family.php?name=all&stage=larva *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/dragonfly-and-damselfly-identification-help *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde writes: Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). I will be organising a few field meetings to hunt for spiders and other arachnids in due course, but if any LNU members wish to get in touch in the meantime then please contact me on my e-mail address: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact: ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com tel. 07984 66 5847 *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Butterfly Conservation Recorder *** Allan Binding asks contributors of butterfly records to the Bulletin to include their address or contact telephone or e-mail address and Grid Reference if possible. e-mail: allan.binding@ntlworld.com *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** New Botanical Group in South Lincs *** Sarah Lambert writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, whether experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! If anybody would like to join us, please get in touch with me at sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com *** Grow-you-own Mistletoe *** http://www.mistle.co.uk/ *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejred7fen@tiscali.co.uk *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in reports. *** Lincs Bird Club *** Secretary - Robert Carr secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk John Badley - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Bird Club Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** Other Useful Websites *** Key links are now being posted on the LNU website. http://www.lnu.org/ This should save space in the Bulletin, Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Natural England http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Still includes SSSI Information and "Nature on the Map" Lincolnshire Environmental Awards http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ Lincs Environmental Records Centre Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) To learn more about the project or to find out how to get involved, please visit http://www.lincsmarshes.org.uk/ Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project Project Officer: Ruth Craig ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk 01507 609740 For help with chalk stream management, volunteering opportunities and educational activities on the chalk stream please visit the website http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering or contact the project officer ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** The South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership *** South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership is working to promote enhancement and re-creation of an iconic fenland landscape and its wildlife within our highly productive and important Lincolnshire farmlands. To learn more about the partnership please visit our website at http://www.lincsfenlands.org.uk/ or contact the project officer at slincsfens@lincstrust.co.uk Amanda Jenkins - South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project Officer Hartsholme Country park. To learn more about the park or to get in involved at the park please visit http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/hartsholmecp contact Park Rangers at hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk Tornado and Storm Research Organisation http://www.torro.org.uk Contact Ian Loxley on colarain@tiscali.co.uk Interesting Weather radar website Noel Loxley recommends the following interesting website. http://www.raintoday.co.uk/ Hedgehog Street survey http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ for 2014 survey, see: http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html RSPB Contact Details RSPB Website: http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ Lincsbirders - Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group http://www.lincsbirders.org/ Bardney Limewoods Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk Readers websites and videos: Joan Gunson's Moths recorded 2013: http:www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p015pqyz Les Binns: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecoheathen/sets/ Leslie Hebden http://www.flickr.com/photos/13718295@N07/ Mike Binnion writes: Common Butterflies http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/ Youtube videos by Colin Green. Little Scrubbs Meadon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqCJLrTQmg&feature=relmfu Greetwell Hollow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QmzLFrbjFU&feature=plcp Rimac http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s02O5JJoilQ&feature=plcp Starlings at Kirkby on Bain - excellent video by David Robinson http://www.flickr.com/photos/poppops/11685708555/ BBC Radio 4 Tweet of the day: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s6xyk Helen Mark did an excellent "Open Country" on 25th January with a good interview of LWT's Dave Bromwich. You can hear this on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03qflhk *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union: info@lnu.org Gibraltar Point: gibpoint@lincstrust.co.uk Far Ings: farings@lincstrust.co.uk Whisby Nature Park: whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk NEW Syke's Farm: lwt@sykesfarm.org.uk Lincs. Trust HQ: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust main e-mail address: info@lincstrust.co.uk Lincolnshire FWAG: lincoln@fwag.org.uk Hartsholme Country Park: hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will sometimes withhold precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. 2014 Field Meetings Saturday, August 02, 2014 Norton Big Wood, Norton Disney (Courtesy of Hill Holt Wood Ltd) Southwest of Lincoln 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening session starting at 20.30. Park in woodland car park at approx. SK880605 which down track off Wood Lane (which is off minor road between Witham St.Hughs and Norton Disney. Toilets available on site. Habitats: Broadleaved woodland, mixed woodland, glades, ponds and ditches Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, September 07, 2014 Frampton Marsh RSPB Reserve. (Courtesy of RSPB) Southeast of Boston. 10am to 4pm (with break for lunch back at car park). Park in main car park at TF357390. Reserve well sign-posted off A16. Toilets and snacks available in visitor centre. Habitats: Wide variety of habitats including saltmarsh, reedbeds, ponds and wader scrapes. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, October 12, 2014 Fungus Foray High Wood, North Rauceby. (Courtesy of Woodland Trust) West of Sleaford. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in the wood car park at TF010463 The wood is located on the north side of Church Lane which runs between North Rauceby and High Dike/Ermine Street (B6403). Habitat: Broadleaved woodland. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you hear of anyone bemoaning the lack of a Bulletin, please refer them to the Bulletin Portal where they will find a text copy. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html If you are having difficulties with spam folders et. please make sure you "Whitelist" my address as given in the Bulletin. Latest Mailfails - see notes above. Michelle Cooper - soft bounce Ruth Simons - soft bounce *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/